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Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary

A walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary, ringed by 7,000 and 8,000 m peaks. A 13-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

13 days

11 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

4,130 m

Annapurna Base Camp

Difficulty

Moderate

Annapurna

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startPoon Hill: about 3,210 mDay 1: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 2: Tikhedhunga, about 1,540 mDay 3: Ghorepani, about 2,860 mDay 4: Tadapani, about 2,630 mDay 5: Chhomrong, about 2,170 mDay 6: Dovan, about 2,600 mDay 7: Deurali, about 3,230 mDay 8: Machapuchare Base Camp, about 3,700 mDay 9: Annapurna Base Camp, about 4,130 mDay 10: Bamboo, about 2,310 mDay 11: Jhinu Danda, about 1,780 mDay 12: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 13: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m12345678910111213Day

2 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Pokhara is the lakeside gateway to the Annapurna region. Flights are weather dependent in the morning, so book a flexible ticket. Spend the evening sorting gear and checking your permits.

  2. Day 2

    Pokhara to Tikhedhunga

    Sleep: Tikhedhunga · about 1,540 m (sources: 1,540 to 1,577 m)Walking 3 to 4 hDrive Pokhara to Nayapul, about 1 to 1.5 h

    Drive to Nayapul, walk to Birethanti for the permit check and continue to Tikhedhunga.

  3. Day 3

    Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani

    Sleep: Ghorepani · about 2,860 m (sources: 2,840 to 2,870 m)Walking 6 to 7 h

    The steep Ulleri stone steps and then forest to Ghorepani.

  4. Day 4

    Poon Hill sunrise to Tadapani

    Sleep: Tadapani · about 2,630 m (sources: 2,590 to 2,700 m)Walking 5 to 6 hReach Poon Hill · about 3,210 m (sources: 3,193 to 3,232 m)

    Sunrise at Poon Hill, then through rhododendron forest to Tadapani.

  5. Day 5

    Tadapani to Chhomrong

    Sleep: Chhomrong · about 2,170 m (sources: 2,140 to 2,170 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Down to the Kimrong Khola and up the stone steps to Chhomrong, the last large village. Stock up on supplies here.

  6. Day 6

    Chhomrong to Dovan

    Sleep: Dovan · about 2,600 m (sources: 2,310 to 2,600 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    Down to the Chhomrong river and up through Sinuwa and Bamboo into the narrowing valley. Some itineraries stop at Bamboo (about 2,310 m) instead.

  7. Day 7

    Dovan to Deurali

    Sleep: Deurali · about 3,230 mWalking 3 to 4 hSleeping altitude +630 m

    Past Himalaya Hotel (about 2,920 m) into the high valley. From here the valley has landslide and avalanche-prone sections, so follow your guide's advice about weather and timing.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 630 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  8. Day 8

    Deurali to Machapuchare Base Camp

    Sleep: Machapuchare Base Camp · about 3,700 mWalking 2 to 3 hSleeping altitude +470 m

    A short day on purpose, to keep the sleeping altitude rise moderate. Stay at MBC and rest.

    You have climbed about 1100 m since your last rest day. Rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.

  9. Day 9

    Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp

    Sleep: Annapurna Base Camp · about 4,130 m (sources: 4,110 to 4,130 m)Walking 2 to 3 hSleeping altitude +430 m

    Enter the Sanctuary and arrive early. Sunrise and sunset on Annapurna I are the highlight.

  10. Day 10

    Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo

    Sleep: Bamboo · about 2,310 mWalking 6 to 7 h

    A long descent of nearly 1,800 m, on the same trail.

  11. Day 11

    Bamboo to Jhinu Danda

    Sleep: Jhinu Danda · about 1,780 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Back through Chhomrong, then down to the hot springs at Jhinu Danda, a good place to rest tired legs.

  12. Day 12

    Jhinu Danda to Nayapul to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 mWalking 4 to 5 hDrive Nayapul to Pokhara, about 1 to 1.5 h

    Walk out through Landruk and the lower valley to Nayapul, then drive to Pokhara.

  13. Day 13

    Pokhara to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Return to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day before an international flight in case of delays.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek climbs from the Modi Khola valley into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high basin surrounded by Annapurna I, Machapuchare, Hiunchuli and Gangapurna. The route passes Poon Hill, the Gurung villages of Tadapani and Chhomrong, and then follows the river up through bamboo and rhododendron forest to the base camp at about 4,130 m.

Above Chhomrong there are few places to sleep and the altitude rises quickly, so the stages from Dovan onwards are where altitude sickness appears. Many operators take 7 to 12 days from Pokhara. This plan uses 13 days from Kathmandu with a gradual finish.

Day-by-day itinerary (13 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.
  2. Day 2: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga. Sleep at Tikhedhunga (about 1,540 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h. Drive Pokhara to Nayapul, about 1 to 1.5 h.
  3. Day 3: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani. Sleep at Ghorepani (about 2,860 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  4. Day 4: Poon Hill sunrise to Tadapani. Sleep at Tadapani (about 2,630 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h. Reach Poon Hill (about 3,210 m).
  5. Day 5: Tadapani to Chhomrong. Sleep at Chhomrong (about 2,170 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  6. Day 6: Chhomrong to Dovan. Sleep at Dovan (about 2,600 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  7. Day 7: Dovan to Deurali. Sleep at Deurali (about 3,230 m). Walking about 3 to 4 h.
  8. Day 8: Deurali to Machapuchare Base Camp. Sleep at Machapuchare Base Camp (about 3,700 m). Walking about 2 to 3 h.
  9. Day 9: Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp. Sleep at Annapurna Base Camp (about 4,130 m). Walking about 2 to 3 h.
  10. Day 10: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo. Sleep at Bamboo (about 2,310 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h.
  11. Day 11: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda. Sleep at Jhinu Danda (about 1,780 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  12. Day 12: Jhinu Danda to Nayapul to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h. Drive Nayapul to Pokhara, about 1 to 1.5 h.
  13. Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 13 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 11 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Annapurna Base Camp Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Annapurna Base Camp, at about 4,130 m.

What is the best time for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How many days does the Annapurna Base Camp trek take from Kathmandu?

About 13 days with the Poon Hill loop and a gradual finish, counting the days to travel to and from Pokhara. Faster versions from Pokhara take 7 to 12 days.

Can I get altitude sickness on the ABC trek?

Yes. The sleeping altitude rises from about 2,600 m at Dovan to 4,130 m at the base camp in four days. Climb slowly, drink water, rest if you get a headache or nausea, and descend if symptoms get worse. Never go higher with symptoms.